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Opening Axel Vervoordt Gallery Hong Kong - El Anatsui: Theory of Se

The Axel Vervoordt Company is delighted to announce the opening of a new exhibition space in the heart of Hong Kong. Due to open on 13 May 2014 during Art Basel Hong Kong, the Axel Vervoordt Gallery Hong Kong is an extension of the existing gallery in Antwerp. It will offer a complementary programme of specially commissioned works, and will be an important platform for internationally renowned artists to participate in the radically-changing art scene in Asia.

Since the 1970s, Axel Vervoordt has developed a strong interest in Eastern philosophy, directly feeding into the spirit of the company, which has the ambition to create a dialogue between East and West. As a result, the gallery has naturally worked with a broad range of artists who tend to explore concepts of void, universality or infinity.

The new space, which will be managed by Korean-born Mi Jeong Kim, will enable Axel Vervoordt Gallery to grow their roster of artists and in particular foster relationships with Asian contemporary artists. The annual programme of exhibitions by established artists will be punctuated by showcases of work by younger and emerging artists.

Axel Vervoordt Gallery Hong Kong will open with a series of three specially-commissioned works by African artist El Anatsui. El Anatsui (Ghana, b1944) grew up in a period typified by the search for social and personal identity, a central theme in his art. He investigates the erosion, survival and transmission of tradition. Most of Anatsui’s sculptures are made out of materials once designed for another purpose. His early works were built out of broken pottery or old wooden logs, which he cut up using a chainsaw. In the past ten years, Anatsui has focused on large tapestry-like metal sculptures made out of thousands of colourful liquor caps. Using found objects, he reworks and rearranges materials and transforms them into something new, while conserving the item’s history.

“This is an exciting moment for the Axel Vervoordt Company. Following the success of the gallery in Antwerp, we have been planning our first international venture and Hong Kong is the obvious location from which to continue to explore the artistic dialogue between East and West which is so central to the ethos of our organisation.” Boris Vervoordt, Director Axel Vervoordt Company.